World's toughest windsurfing contest is back on with Force 10 winds

March 7, 2019 |Windsurfing

Red Bull Storm Chase, the world's toughest windsurfing contest, is back on after three years of waiting with a serious storm brewing off the Irish coast.

Eight of the world's best windsurfers are about to hit the water in Force 10 winds (89-102 kilometers per hour) with the location needing close proximity to an international airport, adequate medical coverage, and emergency services.

A massive low-pressure system approaching the coast of Ireland has now created the ideal conditions and riders are expected to arrive in Dublin over the next 72 hours.

The current forecast calls for a series of squalls to hit the Irish coast on Saturday with two big systems on the way for early in the coming week.

Wave heights could reach 10 meters to ensure plenty of high-flying action, while temperatures will hover around five degrees, making for even tougher conditions.

As the crew makes last-minute decisions depending upon whether the storm system heads north or south, precise timing and location are not yet determined.

The precise format will be determined to take maximum advantage of the conditions, but there's no question the panel of expert judges will be rewarding big jumps, aerial artistry and, of course, stylish wave rides.

Three former podium riders - Leon Jamaer from Germany, Dany Bruch from the Canary Islands, and current champion, French windsurfer Thomas Traversa - will be joined by UK local Adam Lewis, Maui-based Robby Swift, Venezuelan Ricardo Campello, Australian Jaeger Stone, and Germany's Philip Köster.

The founder of the Défi Wind and the legendary windsurfer will organize three international windsurfing events - the Défi Wind Caribbean, the Sorobon Masters, and the Dunkerbeck GPS Challenge - in a single week.